Bending-Area Display Line Layout With Organic Insulating Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices face defects such as disconnections and shorts during the manufacturing process, particularly when bent, due to the rigidity and low flexibility of inorganic insulating layers which lead to tensile stress and potential cracks in the lines.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a substrate with a bendable area where inorganic insulating layers are removed, allowing for the use of organic insulating layers that provide flexibility and reduce defects by minimizing tensile stress on lines, and the lines are arranged with specific pad structures and contact holes to prevent shorts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inorganic insulating layers are used in bent areas, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to tensile stress and cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different insulating layer materials to different regions: inorganic insulating layers are used in non-bent areas where high alignment precision is needed, while organic insulating layers are used in bent areas where flexibility is required. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer structure is segmented into multiple layers with different materials (inorganic and organic) positioned at different locations. The organic insulating layer is specifically placed in the bent area to provide flexibility, while inorganic layers remain in non-bent areas for precision, thus segmenting the functional requirements spatially.
2Manufacturing precision
If inorganic insulating layers are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to low flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
Different insulating layer materials are assigned to different operational regions: organic insulating layers with high flexibility are placed in bent areas to enable easy operation, while inorganic insulating layers with high precision are retained in non-bent areas. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining organic and inorganic insulating layers. The organic layer provides flexibility for bending operations, while the inorganic layer maintains alignment precision in stable regions. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both flexible and precise characteristics in different locations.
3Area of stationary object
If lines are positioned close to edges for compactness, then area is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to short risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground line as an intermediary element positioned between signal lines and the edge of the substrate. This ground line acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between adjacent signal lines that might occur during bending, thus preventing shorts while allowing compact layout. The ground line serves as a protective barrier that maintains reliability without sacrificing area efficiency.
4Reliability
If pad areas are increased for better connection, then reliability is improved, but area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the pad structure in the vertical direction (thickness dimension) by forming protrusions that extend downward from the insulating layer. This dimensional extension increases the connection area and reliability without increasing the horizontal footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and area efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a substrate including a display area to display an image and a non-display area provided on at least one side of the display area, a plurality of pixels disposed on the substrate and provided in an area corresponding to the display area, a first insulating layer having an opening in a first area of the non-display area, a second insulating layer provided in the first area, first lines provided on the substrate and connected to the plurality of pixels, and second lines provided on the first and second insulating layers, and connected to the first lines. An area in which the first lines overlap with the second lines is spaced apart from an edge of the second insulating layer when viewed in a plan view.